Breathable garment

ABSTRACT

A method for creating rain wear that is completely waterproof yet allows the body&#39;s heat and moisture to vent so that the wearer doesn&#39;t become wet from the inside said method comprising: a two part system, a shell and a liner, wherein the shell material is waterproof, and the liner material is waterproof and may or may not be breathable and vents placed at intervals in the fabric of the liner that allow for free air flow between the interior and exterior of the garment to achieve breathability by virtue of the vents. A further advantage of the present innovation is the ability to construct the garment out of materials that are inherently flame resistant making them suitable for use in environments where there is a danger of flash fire such as high-voltage electrical work and petroleum production.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to windproof and waterproof clothing when used by persons who are engaged in active pursuits, such as those involving either work or recreation. Specifically this invention relates to a method for protecting persons from the negative effects of wind or rain, while simultaneously providing means for the hot, moist air generated by their body to vent to the exterior of their clothes so that the vapor doesn't condense inside their clothes and make them wet. This problem has been recognized and ventilation systems have been created for clothing that can be opened by various means such as zippers, however in the event of rain these vents must be closed to prevent water from entering into the clothing from the outside and then the moist air created by the body condenses on the interior of the clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Waterproof clothing has until the present time been constructed either from coated fabric such that it is absolutely windproof and waterproof, or from fabric with a membrane that keeps water (such as rain) from penetrating the fabric from the exterior but which is, to some degree, permeable to vapor such as that created by the human body under exertion. However, neither material allows substantial amounts of heat or moisture to move from the interior to the exterior of clothing constructed from the material. The result is that heat and moisture will accumulate within a very short time when the user is active. This in turn results in overheating, a drop in performance, and the wearer becoming wet from moisture condensing inside the clothing. Conversely in a colder environment, the wearer sweats during active times then the dampness remaining on the wearer's body over chills the body during rest periods. The term clothing as used in the description of the present invention relates to jackets, trousers, shirts, and headgear.

Other methods have been developed to allow for the venting of wind and waterproof clothing while preventing the intrusion of rain. U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,767 to Jaeger discloses a ventilation system for clothing utilizing a shingled construction. However, this system is expensive to construct and is very limited in the range of materials that can be used.

Similarly, Japanese Patent No. 2008038323 Fukuyama Teruyoshi discloses a similar shingled construction to create ventilation, but suffers from the same drawbacks as Jaeger.

Another method of allowing for ventilation while preventing rain from penetrating is US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/242149 to Mickle et al., which discloses a series of vents using spacer materials as baffles to allow air flow while keeping rain water out. This approach, however, is expensive to construct, can only use a limited range of materials and is bulky.

The prior-art techniques attempt to prevent the intrusion of water while allowing for the venting of vapor. But the prior methods have a number of disadvantages: a) the construction costs of creating the vents using elaborate combinations of materials are prohibitive; b) the shingled construction with multiple layers of materials creates added bulk that feels awkward and constrains movement; c) the amount of air flow through the vents is limited by the various meshes it has to pass through; and d) the designs limit the range of materials that can used to create the clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to windproof and waterproof clothing for use by persons who are engaged in active pursuits involving either work or recreation. In particular, the present disclosure is related to a method for protecting persons from the negative effects of wind or rain, while simultaneously providing means for the hot, moist air generated by their body to vent to the exterior of their clothes so that the vapor doesn't condense inside their clothes and make them wet. This problem has been recognized and ventilation systems have been created for clothing that can be opened by various means such as zippers. However, in the event of rain these vents must be closed to prevent water from entering into the clothing from the outside and then the moist air created by the body condenses on the interior of the clothing.

The present disclosure is directed to a novel method of creating well-ventilated rainwear that overcomes the shortcomings of the previous inventions. By increasing ventilation, the present invention improves comfort by preventing moisture build up due to sweating, and reduces heat stress. The articles of manufacture and methods of the present disclosure:

-   -   a. improve the comfort and functionality of rain wear during         physical activities by providing improved ventilation that         allows hot, moist air generated by the body to move quickly from         the interior to the exterior of the garment;     -   b. provide a method for creating well-ventilated rainwear that         can be made from a wide range of materials that will optimize         performance for different work and recreation environments,         especially those requiring resistance to flame;     -   c. provide a method for creating well-ventilated rainwear whose         materials and construction retains a consistent performance         throughout the lifespan of the garment;     -   d. provide a method for creating well-ventilated rainwear that         is economical to construct;     -   e. provide a method for creating well-ventilated rainwear in a         manner that will provide greater utility for the wearer due to         its convenience and ease of use;     -   f. provide a method for creating well-ventilated rainwear that         does not increase the stress through added weight or friction;         and     -   g. provide a method for creating well-ventilated rainwear that         is easy and economical to clean and care for.

The ventilation systems and methods of the present disclosure therefore prevent wind and moisture from penetrating from the outside and permit hot or moist air to readily escape from the body to the outside, keeping the user dry and comfortable. The function of the shell is to protect against wind driven rain penetrating the vents in the liner's construction, while still providing a high degree of breathability for the warm moist air leaving the body through the vents in the liner. The shell and the liner can be joined at the top edge of the garment, and can also be tacked together at intervals along the hem at the bottom edge of the garment to allow water to flow out between the liner and the shell and to facilitate air flow.

The present invention is also directed to a method for creating well-ventilated rainwear that can be easily and inexpensively manufactured, that is light in weight, that is reliable, and that requires no instruction or proficiency to use. In some embodiments the present invention is directed to a garment including an upper section, a lower section spaced apart from the upper section, and a vent hood coupled to the upper section and extending downward over the space between the upper section and a portion of the lower section. The garment also includes a resiliently rigid support coupled to the vent hood and configured to maintain the vent hood spaced apart from the lower section to permit air and moisture to exit the article of manufacture between the upper section and the lower section.

In still other embodiments the present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a garment. The garment is formed with a first section and a second section with a space between the first and second sections. A vent hood is attached to the first section and extends over the space between the first and second sections and over at least a portion of the second section. The vent hood is sufficiently rigid to stand up—away from the second section—to define an open vent between the vent hood and the second section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. These depict particular embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the liner portion with molded synthetic fittings in the front panels of the jacket.

FIG. 2 is a view of the molded vent openings as seen from below showing how they create an arch, which allows air to flow from the interior to the exterior of the liner.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the molded vent opening showing how it protects the opening from water intrusion while still allowing air to flow from the interior to the exterior of the liner.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the liner portion with vents in the front and rear of the jacket, as well as on the sleeve.

FIG. 5 is a view of the vents created by a piece of fabric with a stiffened edge tacked down in a manner that creates a series of arches to allow airflow.

FIG. 6 is a section view of the overlapping fabric panels with the upper panel having a stiffened edge, and the lower panel having a raised dam portion on the interior of the opening.

FIG. 7 is a section view of the overlapping fabric panels on the sleeve with the upper panel having a stiffened edge, and the lower panel having a raised dam portion on interior of the opening, with an additional dam portion on the exterior of the opening.

FIG. 8 is a cut away view of the front panels of the shell portion of the jacket showing the liner portion with the molded synthetic fittings.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the liner portion of the trousers with the molded synthetic fittings in the front panels.

FIG. 10 is a cut away view of the front panels of the shell portion of the trousers showing the liner portion with the molded synthetic fittings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 which shows the liner 21 of a jacket with vents 20 set into the fabric of the anterior upper-thorax region wherein the materials used in the construction may be inherently flame resistant such as Nomex, FR (Flame Resistant) Modacrylic, FR Urethane and FR Vinyl. FIG. 2 shows a view from below of the opening of the vent 20, which will allow for the movement of warm moist air away from the body. FIG. 3 shows a section view of vent 20 showing how the vent includes a vent hood affixed to the material of the jacket liner such that it surrounds a hole in the liner such that air can escape but water is prevented from entering.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the method for creating a series of vents 22 in the liner portion of the current invention utilizing a series of shingle-like, over-lapping panels of fabric arranged so that water running down will fall from panel to panel until reaching the lower hem of the garment. For purposes of illustration, only a single row of vents 22 are shown; however, any number of rows of vents 22 can be included. In addition, the vents 22 are not necessarily in rows, but rather can be arranged individually in any suitable pattern or in an arbitrary pattern. The fabric panels are joined together at intervals allowing gaps in the seams that will allow airflow to carry hot, moist air away from the user's body. The material of the fabric panels itself may not be breathable; however, by virtue of the vents the hot, moist air is permitted to exit the garment and therefore achieve breathability.

FIG. 5 shows a view of the vent 22 from below showing how the vent panel 22 is fastened. A sewn construction is utilized that is later sealed against water intrusion. Alternatively the vent panel 22 is fastened with Radio Frequency welding methods 26 at intervals to the liner 21. Preferably, a dam portion 23 is also employed, which prevents water from moving up and through the vent.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the construction details of the vent 22 with the core stiffening element 25 and the placement and construction of the dam 23 with its core element 24. FIG. 7 shows the same cross section view as FIG. 6 with the addition of a second dam portion 23 placed outside of the vent 22 to provide additional protection from water moving into and through the vent opening.

FIG. 8 shows a cut-away view of the shell portion 27 of the jacket revealing the vents 20 in the liner portion 21 of the jacket. FIG. 9 shows the liner 28 of a pair of trousers with vents 20 set into the fabric of the anterior upper-thigh region. FIG. 10 shows a cut-away view of the shell portion 29 of the pair of trousers revealing the vents 20 in the liner portion 21 of the trousers. 

1. A garment, comprising: an upper section; a lower section at least partially spaced apart from the upper section; a vent hood coupled to the upper section and extending downward over the space between the upper section and a portion of the lower section; and a resiliently rigid support coupled to the vent hood and configured to maintain the vent hood spaced apart from the lower section to permit air and moisture to exit the article of manufacture between the upper section and the lower section.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a jacket, wherein the upper section comprises an upper portion of the jacket and the lower section comprises a lower portion of the jacket.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises pants, wherein the upper section comprises an upper portion of the pants and the lower section comprises a lower portion of the pants.
 4. The garment of claim 1 wherein the upper section, the lower section, and the vent hood are oriented relative to one another such that when worn the upper section is above the lower section and the resiliently rigid support maintains the vent hood at least slightly open and facing downward to prevent moisture from entering the garment from above.
 5. The garment of claim 1 wherein the vent hood is formed of a portion of material having a first length that is attached to the lower section at a first point and a second point, wherein a distance between the first point and the second point is shorter than the first length such that the portion of material stands up from the second section to form a vent.
 6. The garment of claim 5 wherein the garment comprises a plurality of vent hoods formed from an elongated strip of material attached to the second section at intervals, wherein the intervals are shorter than the first length to create a plurality of vent hoods.
 7. The garment of claim 1 wherein the resiliently rigid support comprises a portion of the fabric from which the vent hood is made.
 8. The garment of claim 1 wherein the resiliently rigid support comprises an insert sewn into material of the vent hood.
 9. The garment of claim 1 wherein at least one of the upper section, the lower section, or the vent hood comprises Nomex, flame resistant modacrylic, flame resistant vinyl, or flame resistant urethane.
 10. The garment of claim 1 wherein the vent hood comprises a molded synthetic fitting.
 11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the molded synthetic fitting is coupled to the vent hood by at least one of sewing, press-fitting, or welding with heat and pressure.
 12. The garment of claim 1 wherein the vent hood is adjustable to increase or decrease the space between the vent hood and the lower section.
 13. The garment of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower sections comprise a liner, the garment further comprising a shell worn over the upper and lower sections.
 14. The garment of claim 13 wherein the shell is coupled to the upper and lower sections at a front opening and at extremities of the garment.
 15. The garment of claim 13 wherein the liner is waterproof and breathable by virtue of the vent hood, and wherein the upper and lower sections are waterproof.
 16. The garment of claim 13 wherein the shell and the liner are joined at the neck, at the wrist, and along the front closure zipper, and also joined together at intervals along the hem at the bottom to allow water to flow out between the liner and the shell and to facilitate air flow.
 17. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a first dam on the lower section and a second dam on the lower section spaced apart from the first dam, wherein the vent hood extends to an intermediate position between the first and second dams.
 18. A method of manufacturing a garment, comprising: forming a garment having a first section and a second section with a space between the first and second sections; and forming a vent hood attached to the first section and extending over the space between the first and second sections and over at least a portion of the second section, wherein the vent hood is sufficiently rigid to stand up away from the second section to define an open vent between the vent hood and the second section.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising forming a dam coupled to the second section underneath at least a portion of the vent hood.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein forming the vent hood comprises forming a synthetic molded fitting that protrudes from the garment to define the vent.
 21. The method of claim 18 wherein forming the first and second sections comprises forming the garment from a material that is difficult or expensive to make waterproof and breathable.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the material is one or more of Nomex, flame resistant modacrylic, flame resistant vinyl, or flame resistant urethane.
 23. An article of clothing, comprising: a first layer of material forming a liner having a plurality of vents; a plurality of vent hoods coupled to the first layer of material to cover at least a portion of individual vents, wherein the vent hoods are sufficiently rigid to protrude from the first layer of material to permit air to pass through the vents; a second layer of material forming a shell, wherein the shell is coupled to the liner and is substantially coextensive with the liner, and wherein the shell and liner are coupled at an interface through which air is permitted to escape the article of clothing.
 24. The article of clothing of claim 23 wherein the shell is breathable.
 25. The article of clothing of claim 23 wherein the liner is waterproof.
 26. An article of clothing, comprising: a first sheet of material having a vent formed therein, the vent having a span distance; a second sheet of material attached to the first sheet of material to cover at least a portion of the vent, wherein a portion of the second sheet of material having a length greater than the span distance is positioned over the vent, and wherein the second sheet of material has sufficient rigidity to cause the second sheet of material to stand up away from the first sheet of material, and further wherein the second sheet of material arcs over the vent.
 27. The article of clothing of claim 26 wherein the first sheet of material has a plurality of vents, and wherein the second sheet of material is positioned over the plurality of vents with stitchings between the vents, and with a portion of the second sheet of material arcing over the individual vents.
 28. The article of clothing of claim 26, further comprising a resilient piping member positioned at an edge of the second sheet of material to support the second sheet of material over the vent. 